Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush today announced that he is sponsoring legislation that would suspend taxes on gasoline and other motor fuels on certain holiday weekends in 2011. The bill, A. 7297, and referred to as the “Summer Gas Tax Holiday”, would remove New York state sales taxes on gas and diesel during the Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day holiday weekends.

“With the average price of a gallon of gas now over $4 and expected to go higher this summer, families and small businesses are experiencing real pain at the pump that’s pinching their already overstressed budgets,” Blankenbush said. “While we need to look at tapping our own resources and investing in more alternative energy, the state can provide some immediate relief by suspending state sales taxes on gas during summer holiday weekends.”

The legislation would suspend the eight cents excise tax, the eight cents sales tax, and the 17 cents petroleum business tax providing consumers an immediate savings of 33 cents per gallon, or about five to six dollars per fill-up.

“This gas tax holiday is a win-win for taxpayers, small businesses and the state as New Yorkers will have an incentive to vacation. Consumers will frequent local restaurants and shops contributing to the local and state economy,” the assemblyman added.

The bill also provides for local governments to elect to take part in the gas tax holiday, and Assemblyman Blankenbush is encouraging the counties in his district to consider suspending their local sales tax on gas as well as during these holiday weekends.